Scotland tour hit by quadruple pull-out blow

Denton was injured while playing for Edinburgh against Treviso

Injury has ruled Dave Denton and Lee Jones out of Scotland's summer tour to complete a quadruple blow for national coach Andy Robinson.

News from the Edinburgh duo came after lock Jim Hamilton received a seven-week ban for striking and wing Simon Danielli announced his retirement.

Number eight Denton has damaged ankle ligaments, while winger Jones has a fractured right shoulder blade.

Scotland's tour includes Test matches against Australia, Fiji and Samoa.

Robinson will announce his party for the trip to Australasia on Wednesday.

But he will have to do without 22-year-old Denton, who has impressed since making his debut off the bench against Ireland in August, and 23-year-old Jones, who scored his first try for Scotland in the Six Nations match against France in February.

Scotland team doctor James Robson said: "Lee suffered the fracture in the Heineken Cup semi-final loss to Ulster last month.

"Injuries of this nature typically resolve over the course of six to eight weeks, so he will not be available for the tour.

Jones suffered his injury during Edinburgh's defeat by Ulster

"David sustained the ankle injury in the final game of the league season against Treviso last weekend and subsequent scanning of the joint revealed damage to the ligaments.

"Following consultation with John McKinley, the ankle specialist at Spire Murrayfield Hospital, David will not require surgery but will now embark on a prolonged period of rehabilitation, which will rule him out of the summer tour.

"His estimated return would be between eight to 10 weeks."

Gloucester's Hamilton, who has 34 Scotland caps, was suspended by the Rugby Football Union along with London Irish hooker David Paice.

The pair were sent off for brawling when the teams met on 5 May, with the length of ban reflecting the fact that they had already received yellow cards during the game.

It rules the 29-year-old Scottish forward out of action until 19 August, meaning he will also miss Gloucester's warm-up games during pre-season.

Scotland face Australia at the Ausgrid Stadium in Newcastle, New South Wales, on Tuesday, 5 June.

A Scotland XV are scheduled to face New South Wales Waratahs at the Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, on Sunday, 10 June.

They then take on Fiji on Saturday, 16 June at Churchill Park, Lautoka, and Samoa on Saturday, 23 June at Apia Park, Apia.

The 32-year-old Danielli will not be adding to his 32 caps after the Ulster player was forced to end his top-flight rugby career with a back injury.

He will also miss the Heineken Cup final against Leinster.